Food Storage Container

ABSTRACT

A food storage container. The food storage container includes a housing. The housing is formed by a base wall with a sidewall encircling the base wall and extending upward from the base wall, so that an interior volume with an open upper end is provided. An aperture is provided through the base wall. The aperture is in relationship with a plug that is designed to form a seal between the plug and the aperture when the plug is engaged with the aperture. At least one insert is removably placed in the interior volume of the housing. A cover is movably disposed over the open upper end of the housing.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/802,283 filed on Feb. 7, 2019. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a food storage container. Specifically the present invention provides a solution to the problem of food storage containers that accumulate food particles in combination with wet conditions to create unsafe and unsanitary food or drink preparation conditions.

Many businesses in the food and beverage service industry need to have food products quickly available for preparation. For example, on cooking lines in restaurants and on bars, the employees may need to access items such as fruits, condiments, fresh herbs and garnishes. Some of these items may need to be kept cool and may be kept in a container that also contains ice.

Ordinary containers that are utilized for this purpose typically require the user to remove a series of inserts from the container, and to turn the tray upside down in order to empty the water that has accumulated from the ice that melted. This process often results in water, food and beverage accessories, and food spilling onto the counter bar or floor. These spills require prompt cleanup, for safety purposes, and are time-consuming, which can be costly for many food and beverage businesses.

Therefore, there is a defined need amongst the known arts for a container that provides convenience to businesses in the food and beverage industries by allowing them to drain ice and water from a food storage container without the time-consuming and wasteful requirement to empty the food storage container and turn over the food storage container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of containers now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a food storage container wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when storing ingredients over ice while providing an effective and convenience method for draining ice and water therefrom.

The present system comprises a housing. The housing is defined by a base wall. A sidewall extends upward from the base wall and forms an interior volume between the base wall and the sidewall. The interior volume includes an open upper end that provides access to the interior volume of the housing. An aperture is disposed through the base wall of the housing, such that a fluid can be drained through the aperture. A plug is removably disposed in the aperture, such that the user may selectively open and close the aperture using the plug. At least one insert is disposed in the housing, such that the user can store food or beverage items within the housing. A cover is removably disposed over the open upper end of the housing, such that the cover can be moved between an open position and a closed position by the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the food storage container.

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the food storage container.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the food storage container.

FIG. 4A shows a close-up view of an aperture of an embodiment of the food storage container.

FIG. 4B shows a close-up view of an aperture of an embodiment of the food storage container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the food storage container. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the food storage container. The food storage container 10 comprises a housing 11. The housing 11 is formed by a base wall 12 with a sidewall 13 extending entirely around the base wall 12. The sidewall 13 extends upward from the base wall 12, such that an interior volume with an open upper end is defined therebetween. The open upper end is defined opposite the base wall 12. The housing 11 may be of any desired shape or size. In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 11 is rectangular, such that the food storage container 10 may be placed in a small or narrow area, such as a kitchen counter or a bar.

At least one insert 14 is placed in the interior volume of the housing 11. Each insert 14 comprises a pair of tabs 15 disposed on opposing sides of the insert 14, such as to secure the insert 14 above an internal surface of the base wall 12. As such a gap is created in the interior volume between the insert 14 and the base wall 12, such that ice, or a similar cooling substance, can be placed therein to keep the items stored in the insert 14 cool. The insert 14 may be of any suitable size or dimension for the desired purpose. In the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of inserts 14 are provided, such that multiple ingredients or items may be stored within the housing.

The food storage device 10 further comprises a cover 16. The cover 16 is configured to engage the open upper end of the housing 11. As such, the ingredients and the items stored within the housing 11 will be protected from dirt or debris when the cover 16 is placed in the closed position (as shown in FIG. 3). The cover 16 may be of any suitable size, shape or configuration, but in an ideal embodiment, the cover 16 is of a greater diameter than the open upper end of the housing 11, such as to provide enhanced protection of the ingredients and items inside of the housing 11. In other embodiments, the cover 16 may be translucent or transparent. As such, the user will be able to view the contents of the food storage container 10 while the cover 16 is in the closed position (as shown in FIG. 3).

In some embodiments, such as the illustrated embodiment, the food storage container 10 further comprises an external container 17. The external container 17 is disposed on an external surface of the sidewall 13 of the housing 11. As such, the user may place an item, such as a utensil, into the external container 17, such that the item may be stored aside from the cooled temperatures of the interior volume of the housing 11. For example, the user may wish to store a metal utensil in the external container 17 so that it will not become cold from the ice. Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the housing 11 comprises a handle 18 disposed on the external surface of the sidewall 13 opposite the external container 17. As such, the user may utilize the handle 18 to move the food storage container 10.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the food storage container. An aperture 19 is disposed through the base wall 12 of the housing 11. The aperture 19 is configured to allow a fluid to drain from the interior volume of the housing 11, such as to prevent standing water from pooling therein. Furthermore, a plug 20 is provided, such that the aperture 19 may be closed and opened by the user via engagement and disengagement of the plug 20 with the aperture 19. As such, the user may keep the plug 20 engaged with the aperture 19 to prevent the cold air from escaping the interior volume of the housing 11. The plug 20 is dimensioned relative to the aperture 19 such that a watertight seal may form between the plug 20 and the aperture 19. In the illustrated embodiment, the plug 20 and the aperture 19 are threadably engageable via corresponding threadings on the aperture 19 and on the plug 20. Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the aperture 19 is placed such that a greater length of the base wall 12 is defined on one side of the aperture than on the other.

In some embodiments, such as the demonstrated embodiment, the base wall 12 of the housing 11 defines a plurality of sloping members 21. The sloping members 21 are formed on the base wall 12 of the housing 11 such that a fluid is directed towards the aperture 19. As such, the fluid may be more efficiently and effectively drained from the interior volume of the housing 11 when the plug 20 is removed from the aperture 19.

Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment, the food storage container 10 comprises a platform 22. The platform 22 is disposed on an external surface of the base wall 12. The platform 22 is configured to elevate the food storage container from the surface upon which it rests. Furthermore, because the plug 20 and the aperture 19 are disposed on the base wall 12, the platform 22 ensures that the food storage container 10 may rest evenly upon the surface on which it rests. As such, in a preferred embodiment, the platform 22 is of a greater is disposed entirely aside from the plug 20 and the aperture 19 such that the platform 22 will not interfere with the draining of fluid from the interior volume of the housing 11.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the food storage container. In the illustrated embodiment of the food storage container 10, the cover 16 is in the closed position. The closed position is defined where the cover 16 is disposed over, and is in contact with, the open upper end of the housing 11. The open position (as shown in FIG. 1) is defined where the cover 16 is entirely aside from the open upper end of the housing 11. The user may freely move the cover 16 between the open position, when accessing the contents of the food storage container 10, and the closed position, when storing contents in the food storage container 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the cover 16 is hingedly affixed to the housing 11. As such the cover 16 will be attached to the housing 11 regardless of whether it is in the open position or the closed position.

Referring now to FIGS. 4A and 4B, there are shown close-up views of an aperture of an embodiment of the food storage container. In the illustrated embodiment, the plug 20 is affixed to the base wall 12 of the housing via a plurality of attachment members 23. The plurality of attachment members extend from the plug 20 inwardly through the aperture 19 and are anchored within the interior volume of the housing. As such, the plug 20 is secured to the device regardless of whether it is engaged with the aperture 19 or disengaged with the aperture 19. Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the plug 20 comprises a grip 24. The grip 24 is configured to assist the user in engaging or disengaging the aperture 19 with the plug 20. In the specific embodiment, the grip 24 is a bar centrally defined across the plug 20, with a pair of recesses defined on each side and dimensioned to receive the user's fingers.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in various embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

1) A food storage container, comprising: a housing; the housing defined by a base wall with a sidewall extending upward therefrom forming an interior volume therebetween and an open upper end opposite the base wall; an aperture disposed through the base wall; a plug removably disposed in the aperture; the plug forming a watertight seal with the aperture; at least one insert disposed in the interior volume; a cover removably disposed over the open upper end. 2) The food storage container of claim 1, wherein the base wall defines a plurality of sloping members configured to direct a fluid towards the aperture. 3) The food storage container of claim 1, wherein the plug and the aperture are threadably engageable. 4) The food storage container of claim 1, wherein the plug is affixed to the housing via a plurality of attachment members. 5) The food storage container of claim 1, further comprising a platform disposed on an external surface of the base wall. 6) The food storage container of claim 5, wherein the platform is of a thickness greater than a thickness of an external portion of the plug. 7) The food storage container of claim 1, wherein the cover is hingedly disposed over the open upper end of the housing. 8) The food storage container of claim 1, wherein the cover is transparent. 9) The food storage container of claim 1, wherein the cover is translucent. 10) The food storage container of claim 1, further comprising an external container disposed on an external surface of the side all of the housing. 11) A food storage container, comprising: a housing; the housing defined by a base wall with a sidewall extending upward therefrom forming an interior volume therebetween and an open upper end opposite the base wall; an aperture disposed through the base wall; a plug removably disposed in the aperture; the plug forming a watertight seal with the aperture; the base wall defining a plurality of sloping members configured to direct a fluid towards the aperture at least one insert disposed in the interior volume; a cover removably disposed over the open upper end; a platform disposed on an external surface of the base wall; wherein the platform is of a thickness greater than a thickness of an external portion of the plug. 12) The food storage container of claim 11, wherein the plug and the aperture are threadably engageable. 13) The food storage container of claim 11, wherein the plug is affixed to the housing via a plurality of attachment members. 14) The food storage container of claim 11, wherein the cover is hingedly disposed over the open upper end of the housing. 15) The food storage container of claim 11, wherein the cover is transparent. 16) The food storage container of claim 11, wherein the cover is translucent. 17) The food storage container of claim 11, further comprising an external container disposed on an external surface of the sidewall of the housing. 18) A food storage container, comprising: a housing; the housing defined by a base wall with a sidewall extending upward therefrom forming an interior volume therebetween and an open upper end opposite the base wall; an aperture disposed through the base wall; a plug removably disposed in the aperture; the plug forming a watertight seal with the aperture; the base wall defining a plurality of sloping members configured to direct a fluid towards the aperture at least one insert disposed in the interior volume; a cover removably disposed over the open upper end; wherein the cover is hingedly disposed over the open upper end of the housing, such that the cover is movable between an open position and a closed position; wherein the cover s translucent; a platform disposed on an external surface of the base wall; wherein the platform is of a thickness greater than a thickness of an external portion of the plug; an external container disposed on an external surface of the sidewall of the housing. 19) The food storage container of claim 18, wherein the plug and the aperture are threadably engageable. 20) The food storage container of claim 18, wherein the plug is affixed to the housing via a plurality of attachment members. 